Derek Jeter is now the owner of the Marlins — and he's on a collision course with the team's biggest star

Derek
Jeter is the new owner of the Miami Marlins, and it looks like
more major changes could be coming to the organization.

Jeter and his ownership group, backed by billionaire Bruce
Sherman, just finalized a $1.2
billion deal to buy the Marlins from Jeffrey Loria, according
to Tim Healey of the Sun Sentinel. After spending two decades
playing for the New York Yankees, the future Hall of Famer will
finally get a chance to build his own MLB club.

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Jeter, who was given some control over personnel decisions in the
weeks leading up to the sale, has already made his mark on the
Marlins, firing a number of figures who came to define the
organization during the Loria era. Team president David Samson
was dismissed, as were four special assistants to the front
office: Hall of Famers Andre Dawson and Tony Perez, longtime
first baseman Jeff Conine (known as "Mr. Marlin"), and former
manager Jack McKeon, who piloted the team to its most recent
World Series title in 2003.

But Jeter will face his toughest dilemma yet when he decides the
fate of the best player on his roster: four-time All-Star
Giancarlo Stanton.

Stanton is an imposing right fielder who agreed to a 13-year,
$325 million deal with the Marlins after the 2014 season, still
the largest in the history of sports. He gave them a big return
on their investment this season, leading the league with 59 home
runs and 132 RBI, numbers that any owner would love to have on
their roster.

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But there are other reasons why Jeter might be tempted to send
his franchise player packing. The struggling Marlins are expected to lose
money for the next few years, and given the bad reputation
Loria and Samson earned during their time in South Beach, a clean
break from the old regime - and its contracts - could be the most
savvy business move. In September, Barry Jackson of the Miami
Herald reported that Jeter
could trim as much as $60 million from the payroll, effectively
tearing down a roster that won 77 games this season.

Stanton, for his part, wants nothing to do with that plan,
especially given the Marlins' subpar track record over the past
decade. They haven't had a winning season since he made his
debut.

While Stanton's massive deal would make him difficult to trade,
there have been rumors from around the league. In August, Bob
Nightengale of USA Today reported that the
Giants, Cardinals, Rangers, and Phillies were the teams with the
most interest.

Stanton can opt out of his contract after the 2020 season, so
he's still under team control for at least three more seasons.
Jeter has time to plan his next move. But if the new ownership is
as serious about building its own franchise as it seems to be,
Stanton will be on his way out sooner or later.